Program on Innovation & Entrepreneurship

The Boston College Law School Program on Innovation and Entrepreneurship (PIE) draws upon the intellectual capital of its faculty and the energy of its talented students to develop activities designed to build strong bridges between BC Law and the innovation and entrepreneurship communities in Boston and beyond.

PIE hosts speakers, discussions, conferences, and symposia at BC Law, in and around Greater Boston, and in other cities as well, in partnership with collaborators in the innovation and entrepreneurship space. PIE also supports experiential opportunities, academic research and student work related to innovation and entrepreneurship.

The Program on Innovation and Entrepreneurship (PIE) focuses on legal issues arising in the areas of innovation and entrepreneurship, considered broadly. The Program brings together relevant BC faculty members, outside academics, lawyers, regulators, and businesspersons to consider and address important issues affecting innovation and entrepreneurship. The Program builds on and extends BC Law’s existing academic strengths in areas such as intellectual property, entrepreneurship, business law, and experiential learning. The Program sponsors speakers, discussions, conferences, and symposia at BC Law, in Boston, and in other cities. The program also supports academic research and exchange.

Student Opportunities

The Program on Innovation and Entrepreneurship Tethered Externship Seminar allows students to participate in externships in the legal departments of innovative and entrepreneurial companies and law firms in the Greater Boston area. The PIE classroom seminar to which the externships are tethered includes relevant legal instruction, student PIE projects, and a written work requirement.

PIE also works with affiliated student groups to plan and sponsor events of interest to BC law students. Through these collaborations, PIE helps bring to campus speakers who address cutting-edge legal issues in the areas of innovation and entrepreneurship. PIE also provides opportunities for students to work directly with the program on programs and legal research.

Engagement and Service of the Business and Legal Communities

Through PIE, BC Law engages with the legal and business communities to discuss important issues in the fields of innovation and entrepreneurship. PIE programs allow lawyers, businesspersons, regulators, and academics to discuss critical legal issues and consider new and innovative solutions to pressing innovation, business, and entrepreneurship law challenges. This exchange not only enriches the academic work of the law school, it also advances BC Law’s mission of service to the legal community and the greater world. Accordingly, PIE frames issues in business and innovation in terms of serving society, including consideration of equal access to opportunities, facilitation of social mobility, and human and economic development.

The Program on Innovation and Entrepreneurship Tethered Externship Seminar allows students to participate in externships in the legal departments of innovative and entrepreneurial companies and law firms in the Greater Boston area. The PIE classroom seminar to which the externships are tethered includes relevant legal instruction, student PIE projects, and a written work requirement.